The Principles Of

Ethics

Balloguing, Maridel M.
Beneficence
- An act of charity, mercy, and kindness with a strong
connotation of doing good to others including moral
obligation.
Justice and Equity
-“Equals should be treated equally and unequal
unequally”
Respect
- The recognition of a person as a autonomous,
unique, and free individual. It also means that we
recognize that each person has the right and capacity to
make her or his own decisions.
Accountability and Transparency
-To take responsibility for one's actions,
decisions and their consequences.

Confidentiality
- ensures that secret information is
protected from unauthorized disclosure.
Autonomy
-Freedom to make your own decision without external
influence.
Beneficence
-Doing what’s in the patients’ best interest.
Nonmaleficence
-“Do no harm” or “Do Good”
-Weighing benefits vs. risks
Justice
-Treating patients equitably and fairly
(For BSN)
The Three C’s (Confidentiality, Capacity, Consent)
Confidentiality
refers to the obligation of professionals who have
access to patient records or other information, to hold
that information in confidence.

When can we break confidentiality?

• When the patient has given their permission to break confidentiality.
• When we are required to break confidentiality by law.
• When there is a risk to the health of the public or the patient.
(For BSN)
Capacity
Capacity is an individual’s ability to make
informed decision
A patient must have capacity in order to give
informed consent for a procedure or treatment

4 keys to understand a patient’s ability to make decision

• Can they understand the information given to them?
• Can they weigh up the information for long enough to be able to
make decision?
• Can they weigh up the pros and cons of the information?
• Can they communicate their decisions by any means?
(For BSN)
Consent
It means giving permission for something to happen.
In medical practice consent should be obtained for all
types of medical care delivered to the patient.
Three kinds of consent: Implied, Verbal, Written

The three necessities of consent

•Consent must be voluntary
•Consent needs to be informed
•Capacity to make that decision
(For BSN)
Case 1: After a motor vehicle accident, a patient was
rushed to the ER where splenectomy was performed
(due to damage from the accident) without the
patient’s consent.
Case 2: A 36-year old patient has just tested positive
for HIV. He asks that you not inform his wife of the
results and claim he is not ready to tell her yet.
Case 3: A 75 year-old woman shows signs of abuse
that appears to be inflicted by her husband. As he is
her primary caregiver, she feels dependent on him
and pleads with you not to say anything to him about
it.